Half to orren



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. P. GOBHAM. EXTENSION TABLE.

No. 473,060. I PatentedApr. 19, 1892;.

E III/IIIII/IIII/I/I/I/IIII/III/K IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVIIIIIIIIII v vawmutbz wwmeqmo SM H h JWWVJLQZZ &

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

P. P. COBHAM. EXTENSION TABLE.

Patented Apr 19, 1892.

n1: nenms PETERS co., mow-mum, mxsnmc'rorz, n. n.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

r. P. COBHAM. EXTENSION TABLE.

No. 473,060. x Patented Apr. 19, 18 92.

m: uoams versus cm, mmwumm, maammuu, n. c.

UNTTE' STATES PATENT OFFICE.v

FREDERICK P. COBHAM, on WARREN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR or ONE- HALF TOGREEN-:0. ALLEN AND GEORGE H. HIGGINS, on SAME PLACE.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,060, dated April19, 1892.

Application filed June 25, 1891.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK P. OoBHAM, a citizen of the United States,residing at \Varren, in the county of lVarren and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Tables;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improvement in extension-tables; and it consists inthe novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafterfully described.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one form in which I havecontemplated embodying my invention, and the said invention is fullydisclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved table with one of the extension-frames drawn out. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar viewshowing both of the extension-frames shoved in. Fig. 4 is a bottom planof my improved table. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of one of theextension-frames. Fig. 6 is a detail of a portion of the flexible endportions of the table-top. Figs. 7 and 8 show a slightly-modifiedconstruction.

The main feature of my present invention is to provide anextension-table in which the extension portion of the table-top areflexible and formed of an integral portion of flexible material, therebyavoiding the difficulties and inconveniences offered by the use ofslotted flexible tops and doing away with the necessity of hinge-jointsin the constructio of the flexible table-top.

Among the advantages obtained by the use of my invention it may be notedthat with the slatted construction it is exceedingly difficult, if notimpossible, to obtain a perfectlyeven' top, which is obtained by myconstruction. Furthermore, at the ends of the tables using slattedconstruction the slats are separated by wide cracks, in which dirtquickly accumulates, especially if the table is left in one position forsome time, as is usual, and

Serial No. 397,509 (No model.)

when the top is moved into position where the cracks are closed the dirtprevents the slats from coming together neatly and strains the joinsconnecting adjacent slats. In using the slatted construction it is notpossible to make the ends of the table anything like a sharp corner; butthe slats must'be carried around in a gradual curve. Thus it isimpossible to place dishes orother articles very near the end of thetable. flexible material can be carried around a tolerably-sharp cornerand the ends of the table will be very nearly rectangular, as indicatedin the drawings.

Reference being had to the drawings, A represents the main table-top,supported by suitable legs B in any preferred manner. I have shown inthis instance a cross-bar A, interposed between the top Aand legs B,said cross-bar being provided with guide-rails a at, extending on eitherside of the same and forming the guides for the sliding extensionframes.It will be understood, however, that I do not limit myself to thisconstruction for guiding the sliding frames, as they may be supportedand guided in their movements in any other desired manner.

The sliding extension-frames consist of the side pieces or rails O 0,connected by the cross-bar O and the end rail 0. The saidextension-frames are also provided with top portions 0, which are flushwith the sides and are in substantially the plane of the lower face ofthe table-top A. The cross-bars O O are shown as provided with suitablerecesses or apertures to engage the guide-rails a a and guide the framesin their outward and in ward movements. The cross-bars O G are alsoprovided with suitable supplemental supports 0 for the extension-frames.

To the ends a of the table-top A are socured the integral flexibleextension portions D D of the table-top. These extension portions aremade of suitable material of the same thickness as the table-top andneatly united thereto along the edge a, and said portions consist ofintegral portions of the said flexible material, so that no slots orjoints are necessary. The said extension portions D D of the table-topare bent around the end of the extension-frames and preferably en By myconstruction the gage one, two, or more rollers E, mounted in the saidframes, extending across the full width of the same, and having theirperipheries in substantially the plane of the end rail and top andbottom portions of the extensionframes, thus guiding the flexibleportions D around the angles offered by said frame and enabling theframe to be drawn out and the flexible material to slide over the end ofthe same with very slight friction or wear. Rollers might also beprovided along the'top of the extension-frame, as shown in dotted-lines,Fig. 5; but this it is not thought will be necessary.

I also provide suitable tension devices for the flexible material, inorder to keep it taut and firm in all positions of the extensionframes.For this purpose I may employ coiled springs, as shown in Fig. 3, orother suitable tension devices. I prefer, however, to employ the form oftension device shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, in which each extensionframeis provided with -a roller suitably mounted in the side rails of theframe and having a springf coiled thereon, one end of the spring beingsecured to a portion of the frame, as the cross-bar C',.and the otherend secured to the roller F. A cord, rope, or other flexible connectionG is secured to each end of roller F and extends around a pulley orguide H, secured to cross-bar '0, and thence to the under edge of theflexible end portion D. The portion of the roller F engaged by the cordG is preferably of less diameter than the portion engaged by the spring;but this is not essential. It will be seen that when one of theextension-frames is drawn out the flexible end portion D will be drawnup upon the top of the said frame and will form a continuation of thetable-top A. As the flexible portion is drawn up the cord G is drawnoff. of the roller F and the springf will be wound up. NVhen theextension-frame is pushed in,-the spring will wind up the cord D uponthe roller F and draw the flexible end portion D of the table-top aroundthe end of the frame, keeping it always taut. The extension-frames willremain inthe position into which they are moved without the necessityfor any catches or other retaining devices, and they will ordinarily bedrawn out by hand, although devices could be provided for drawing outthe frames and retracting them, if desired, as is common in devices ofthis class.

I prefer to form the integral flexible end portions of the table-top ofa strip L of thickfelt or similar material, provided with an outercoating of thin papier mach, leather, oilcloth, rubber fabric, or othersuitable material, which may be painted andgrained torepresent anydesired kind ofv wood, if pre- -ferred, and the flexible end portions ofthe top will be joined to the main top A so neatly that they will formuninterrupted continuations of the same. I do not limit myself to theuse of any particularmaterial in this connection, as I may employ anyintegral flexiblematerial which will answer'the purpose.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown a slightlymoditied form of table-top, inwhich the flexible material is somewhat thinner and is supported onslats or supports K, which extend "across the table and engage theextensionframes. In this case I may employ a top layer of leather or anyother suitable material glued or otherwise secured upon canvas or a thinstrip of felt, which is secured to and supported by the slats K. Ifdesired, the top layer of flexible material may extend from one endshown the under layer of flexible material secured in the above mannerto the tabletop A and the upper layer passing entirely over thetable-top, as before described. I might, however, carry both layers ofthe flexible top over the main table-topA if found desirable. Theflexible end portions of the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are providedwith tension devices, as heretofore described, and will operate in themanner before described with reference to the other figures of thedrawings.

The slats K form no part of the table-top, but merely serve to supportthe said flexible top and enable me to use flexible material of lessthickness.

I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of constructionherein shown and described, as variations may be made in the same-without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An extension-table provided with an extension portion adapted to forma continuation of the table-top, consisting of an integral portion offlexible material, substantially as described. 7

2. In an extension-table, the combination,

with the main table-top and supports-for the I same, of theextension-frames and the extension portions of the table-top, consistingof integral portions of flexible material, adapted to form acontinuation of said main top, substantially as described.

3. In an extension-table, the combination, with the main table-top andsupports for the same, of the sliding extension-frames provided withrollers, said table-top being provided with integral portions offlexible material adapted to engage said rollers and to formcontinuations of the table-top when said frames are drawn out,substantially as described.

4. In an extension-table, the combination, with the main tabletop andsupports for the same, of the integral end portions of flexible materialadapted to form continuations of said tabletop, the slidingextension-frames adapted to support the said integral flexible endportions, and tension devices for said flexible integral portions,substantially as described.

5. In an extension-table, the combination, with the main table-top andsupports for the same, of the flexible integral end portions adapted toform contin'uations of said main top, the sliding frames adapted tosupport said end portions and provided with the spring rollers, andflexible connections between said spring-rollers and said end portions,substantially as described.

6. In an extension-table, the combination, with the main table-top andsupports for the same, of the sliding extension-frames, the extensionportions of the table-top, consisting of integral portions of flexiblelnaterials,adapted to form a continuation of said table-top, and theslatted supports for said integral flexible portions.

7. In an extension-table, the combination, with the main table-top andsupports for the same, of the sliding extension-frames, and theextension portions of the table-top, consisting of two or morethicknesses of integral flexible material, one or more ofsaidthicknesses of flexible material passing over the main table-top andforming one integral piece from one end of the table to the other,substantially as described. I

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK P. OOBI-IAM.

Vitn esses:

J OHN SAGER, M. MEAD.

